A stabbing attack in the Swiss city of Basel has left three people injured and prompted the British Foreign Office to update its travel advice for Switzerland. The incident occurred shortly before 1pm local time on Tuesday in the city’s central train station. Police have arrested a suspect, and counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation.
The victims, whose nationalities have not been confirmed, were taken to hospital. One is reported to be in a critical condition. Swiss authorities have cordoned off the area and urged the public to avoid the station. The motive remains unclear, but officials have not ruled out terrorism.
The British Foreign Office said it was monitoring the situation closely. In a statement, it advised British nationals in Switzerland to “remain vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities.” The travel alert, issued late on Tuesday, warns of a heightened risk of terrorism in Europe, including Switzerland.
Basel is a major transport hub on the border with France and Germany. The city is hosting a summit of European foreign ministers this week, adding to security concerns. The suspect, described as a 37-year-old Swiss national, is known to police but had no prior record of violent extremism. Investigators are examining his digital footprint and interviewing witnesses.
Switzerland has a low rate of violent crime, but attacks in public spaces have risen in recent years. The country raised its terror alert level after a series of incidents in neighbouring France and Germany. The Basel attack will likely renew debate about security in public transport hubs.
The Foreign Office update advises against all but essential travel to certain areas of Switzerland, though Basel itself has not been designated a no-go zone. The alert is a standard precaution following incidents involving British nationals or sites frequented by tourists.
This is a developing story. Further details will be published as they emerge.
